Display rack



M. COHEN March 7, 1961 DISPLAY RACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 31, 1957 INVENTOR ATTORNEY M. COHEN March 7, 1961 DISPLAY RACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31, 195'? INVENTOR Wan/Mae -50M ATTORNEY DISPLAY RACK Maurice Cohen, 8580 NW. 52nd St., Miami, Fla.

Filed Jan. 31, 1957, Ser. No. 637,465

10 Claims. (Cl. 211-37) States Patent the trade as open selling has several advantages over a for the purpose of openly displaying goods, thereby stimulating sales, but most of these prior known devices or racks were of the conventional styling which usually took the form of a stationary stand or built-in wall fixture. These heretofore known stationary display racks were therefore not completely satisfactory, since they were not versatile in use. Rotating racks have been used to some degree for displaying merchandise and have found some favor in the trade, particularly in the display of garments. Heretofore the display of such merchandise as shoes was normally restricted to window dis play and shelf display. It has been found that sales of such items as shoes can be greatly stimulated through open selling and the more attractive and convenient the display device, the more success in selling the shoes. The present invention is a revolutionary advance in the art of shoe display and includes a device that provides for the open display ofa plurality of shoes in a minimum area.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rotatable display rack that is adapted to conveniently and artistically display a plurality of shoes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable shoe rack that is portable in nature and that includes display members that enable a great number of shoes to be displayed in a minimum of space.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a circular display rack that includes a plurality of spaced display members that are adapted to receive merchandise for display thereon.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a circular shoe display rack that includes a series of spaced circular display members that are adapted toreceive shoes thereon for the display thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable circular shoe display rack that includes a plurality of spaced drums and discs, display members being secured to the discs and adapted to receive shoes thereon for the display thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to' provide a circular shoe display device which is adapted to be conveniently knocked down for shipping orstoring and then assembled with a minimum of effort.

vide a circular display device that is shipped in knocked down condition and is so constructed as to be assembled in a matter of minutes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display rack which includes a one piece display member that is adapted to display low heel shoes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a circular display member that is molded of a plastic material in an integral unit and that is provided with a series of inclined display shelves for displaying low heel shoes thereon.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig 1 is a vertical sectional view of the display rack embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the display rack shown in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a rack showing a modified display member;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of another modified form of a display member; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 55 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly-Fig. 1, the circular display device embodied herein is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. The display device 10 includes a base generally indicated at 12 and a display assembly that is mounted for rotation on the base 12 and is generally indicated at 14.

sage is formed between the trunk portions 20 of the legs 16 for receiving a shaft 22, which extends downwardly within the tripod base 12, the lowermost end of theshaft 22 engaging a base plate 24 secured to the legs 16. In orderto positively lock the legs 16 together a plate 26 is secured to the uppermost end thereoffthe'plate' 26 being formed with a central opening through which the shaft 22 extends. i

The display assembly 14 vis adapted to be rotatably mounted on the stationary shaft 22 and includes a lower plate 28 in which is secured a lower ball bearing assembly 30 that receives the shaft 22 therein. The lower plate 28 is formed with a central groove in which is positioned a lower disc 32 of a tubular member 34. The tubular member 34 surrounds the shaft 22 in coaxial relation with respect thereto and is closed at the upper end thereof by an upper plate 36. The upper plate 36 includes an upper ball bearing assembly 38 for receiving the uppermost end of the shaft 22 and it is seen that the lower plate 28 and the tubular member 34 are mounted for free rotation on the fixed shaft 22.

The display device embodied herein is adapted for particular use in displaying shoes, although it is understood Still another object of the present invention is to prothat other merchandise may' be similarly displayed thereon. In order to effectively display a plurality of shoes to their best advantage itis preferred to provide a series of spaced circular display rods or arms. pose a plurality of discs are provided, these discs being indicated as a lower disc 41), intermediate discs 42,144 and an upper disc 46. The discs 40-46 are each pro-- vided with annular grooves in the surfaces thereof ad,- jacent their outer peripheries, the annular grooves defining locating means for receiving the extreme edges. of

drum-like spacing members 48. The spacing members 48 surround the tubular member 34 and are located in coaxial relation with respect thereto. I. Q.

Secured to the discs 40, 42, 44 and 46 are merchandise:

Patented Mar. 7,

For this pur-.

display members or circular display arms generally indicated at 50, 52, 54 and 56, respectively. Each of the circular display arms includes three equally spaced horizoritally disposed radial members 58 that are secured'to the corresponding disc and have inclined portions 60 integrally joined thereto. Secured to the upper portion of each radial member 58 is a circular rod 62 and secured to the inclined portion of eaclrradial member 60 is a second circular rod 64 of a greater diameter than the associated circular rod 62. As seen in Fig. 1 the diameters of the circular rods 62, 64 progressively decrease toward the top of the display assembly 14. By forming the circular rod 62 of each disc unit with a lesser diameter than the associated circular rod 64, the shoes to be displayed (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1) may be securely retained in position by dropping the heels thereof over the upper rod 62 and placing the soles thereof in contact with the lower rod 64. Since womens shoes are normally arched considerably, they will thereby be effectively retained on the rods 68, 62 and are thus displayed to their best advantage.

The entire assembly is locked in position by a locking bolt 66 that extends through an upper plate 68 and is secured to the upper plate 36 of the tubular member 34. It is seen that as the bolt 66 is tightened in the plate 36, the upper plate 68, which defines the top of the display device, will be drawn into firm engagement with the disc 46, thereby effectively locking the discs 40 to 46 and spacing members 48 into a unitary assembly. It is also seen that the entire display assembly, including the tubular member 34, spacing members 48, discs 40 to 46 and display rods 50 to 56 are thus mounted for rotation on the stationary shaft 22 that is fixed to the base 12.

The circular display rack described above is particularly advantageous for openly displaying shoes since the display assembly 14 may be rotated on the base 12. The shoes being displayed, which are held in place by the circular rods 62 and 64 are thus available for handling by many customers who may be grouped around the rack. The display rack 10 not only aids in open selling of the goods displayed thereon, out by reason of the unique construction thereof may be conveniently shipped or stored in a knocked-down condition. The unit is thus normally received by the retail store dealer in a knockeddown condition, the base 12, shaft 22 and the component parts of the hanger assembly 14 being unassembled. In assembling the unit, the base 12 is placed erect and the shaft 22 fixedly mounted therein; the hanger assembly elements are easily and quickly assembled together by first sliding the lower plate into place adjacent the upper end of the base 12, the bearing assembly 30 making contact with the shaft 22. The tubular member 34 is placed in an upright position on the lower plate 28, the bearing assembly 38 contacting the upper end of the shaft 22. The lower disc 40 with attached circular arm 50 is then placed over the tubular member 34 and forced downwardly into contact with the upper surface of the lower plate. A spacing member 48 is next placed over the tubular member 34 and is moved downwardly until the lower edge thereof is fixed in the annular groove in the lower disc 40 that defines the spacing member 10- cating means. The intermediate disc 42 with attached circular arm 52 is next placed over the tubular member and moved into contact with the spacing member 48, the upper edge of which is fitted into the annular locating groove formed in the underside of the intermediate disc 42. The intermediate disc 44 and top disc 46 are similarly assembled, a spacing member 48 being positioned between each pair of discs and fixed in the annular locating grooves formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the discs. Lastly, the upper plate 68 which forms the top of the rack is placed over the upper disc 46 and is secured in place by the locking bolt 66. It is seen that tightening of the locking bolt 66 which extends into the upper plate 36 of the tubular member 4 36, forces the elements of the display assembly into firm engagement.

If it is required to disassemble the display rack 10 it is only necessary to remove the locking bolt 66, the upper plate 68, the discs and spacing members being removable in order. The unit is thus broken down or assembled in a matter of minutes.

Referring now to Fig. 3, a modified form of shoe display means is illustrated and has particular application in connection with those shoes which are formed with very little heel or no heel at all. The elements of the rack shown in Fig. 3 are the same as those in Fig. l with the exception of the shoe display member which, in the modified form of the invention, includes a solid display unit generally indicated at 72. The display unit 72 slidably engages the tubular member 34 and includes a shelf portion 74 which projects outwardly beyond the spacing member 48, terminating in an annular inclined portion 76. An annular rib 78 may be secured to the inclined portion 76 and is adapted to engage the heels of the shoes being displayed. It is seen that low heel shoes may be conveniently displayed on the inclined portion 76, being retained in position by the annular rib, or if it is desired, they may be placed for display on the shelf portion 74. The shelf portion 74 is particularly adaptable to display those shoes that are not formed with heels, such as slippers and ballet type shoes.

It is understood that similar display units 72 may be included in the display assembly and if it is so desired, a combination of the shelf type and ring type display units may be combined in a single display assembly.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, a further modified form of a shoe display unit is illustrated and is indicated generally at 80. The shoe display unit 80 also has particular application for those shoes that are not formed with heels and is adapted to display shoes thereon such as the Wedgie and the ballet type slipper. The display unit 80 is normally adapted to be utilized as the lowermost tier on the complete rack shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is constructed as an integral one-piece member by molding, fabricating or stamping. Although the unit 80 is preferably molded of a plastic material, it is understood that other materials may be employed as desired.

The display unit 80 is formed in a generally dishshaped construction and includes a central hub member 82 that has an annular flange 84 integrally joined thereto. The annular flange 84 defines an opening 86 that is adapted to receive a spacing member 48 therein as will be more completely described hereinafter. Radiating outwardly from the hub member 82 are a plurality of spaced vertical ribs or stiffening members 88 that define therebetween a series of inner compartments or cells 90 and a series of outer inclined display shelves 92. As shown in Fig. 5, the inner cells 90 are recessed, the bottom wall thereof being horizontal and the front and rear walls thereof being substantially vertical.

The stiffening members 88 which define the side walls of the cells 90 taper from the hub member 82 to the outermost edge of the cells and then incline downwardly with a uniform cross section to a perpiheral or annular rib 94. The display shelves 92 are inclined sufficiently and enable shoes to be properly displayed thereon, each of the selves being of sufficient width to receive a pair of shoes thereon. The peripheral rib 94 defines a convenient stop with which the toes of the shoes being displayed make contact and further lends strength to the entire construction.

In order to integrate the unit 80 with the circular display means 52, 54 or 56 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hub member 82 is adapted to be secured to a circular disc 96 that is similar in construction to the discs 40, 42, 44, 46 and is also formed with an annular groove 98 in the upper surface thereof. The disc 96 abuts against the flange 84 of the hub member 82, the annular groove 98 being exposed but positioned closely adjacent the edge ofthe flange 84 and therefore being adapted to receive the lowermost edge of a spacing member 48. It is seen that in assembling the display rack with a display unit 80, the unit 80 is first placed over the tubular member 22, the disc 96 contacting the lower plate 28. A spacing member 48 is placed in position in the annular groove 98 formed in the upper surface of the disc 96 and the remaining elements of the rack are then assembled as described above. The entire assembly is secured rigidly in position by tightening the bolt 66 in the upper plate 36 of the tubular member 22. It is understood that the display rack with the display unit 80' is also shipped in an unassembled condition and is conveniently assembled as described above at the point of installation.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a display device, a shaft, a display assembly mounted for rotation on said shaft, said display assembly including a tubular member, a plurality of drums and discs alternately positioned in spaced vertical arrangement and located in coaxial relation with respect to said tubular member, each of said discs having a circular display member secured thereto, at least one of said display members including coaxial vertically spaced rings, and a top plate secured to the uppermost of said discs and forming the top of said display device.

2. In a display device, a base, a shaft fixed to said base and extending upwardly therefrom, a display assembly mounted on said shaft, said display assembly in cluding spaced bottom and top plates, a tubular member positioned between said bottom and top plates and located in coaxial relation with respect to said shaft, a plurality of vertically spaced discs surrounding said tubular member and making contact therewith, a plurality of vertically spaced drums surrounding said tubular member and spaced therefrom, said drums and discs being arranged in alternate relation, an annular groove formed in the upper and lower surface of each of said discs and defining locating means for receiving said drums therein, and a supporting member secured to each of said discs.

3. In a display rack, a display assembly including a central tubular member mounted for rotation on a shaft, a lower plate secured to the lowermost end of said tubular member and an upper plate secured to the uppermost end of said tubular member and forming the top of said rack, a plurality of coaxial separable discs and spacing members mounted in alternate engaging relation on one another between said upper and lower plates, means formed in said discs for positively locating said discs therein, said discs including display means for receiving articles for display thereon.

4. In a display rack as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locating means include grooves formed in the surfaces thereof, said grooves defining means for locating said spacing members in proper position on said discs.

5. In a display device as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said display means includes a pair of spaced circular rods joined by a plurality of radialarms secured to the associated disc, the uppermost of said circular rods being smaller in diameter than the lowermost.

#6. In a display device as set forth in claim 3 wherein I 7. In a display as set forth in claim 3 wherein the display means for one of said supporting members includes a disk shaped one piece unit, said one piece unit having a plurality of radially extending stifiening members that define a series of display shelves, said display shelves being inclined to receive articles for display thereon.

8. In a rack for displaying shoes, an integral molded circular unit including a central hub member, a plurality of radially extending stiffening members joined to said hub member and defining therebetween a series of inner cells and a series of outer display shelves, said cells being recessed and said shelves being inclined, terminating in a peripheral rib, said inclined shelves being adapted to receive pairs of shoes thereon for display, the toes of the shoes contacting said peripheral rib, said shoes thereby being retained in display position on said inclined shelves.

9. A display rack comprising a base, a shaft fixed to said base and extending upwardly therefrom, a display assembly rotatably mounted on said shaft, said display assembly including a lower plate, a tubular member mounted on said lower plate, a plurality of drums surrounding said tubular member in coaxial relation and spaced therefrom whereby an annular space is formed therebetween, a plurality of discs, each of which is positioned between a pair of said drums to locate said drums and discs in alternate relation, means formed in said discs and spaced from said tubular member for receiving said drums therein for positively locating said drums with respect to said discs and tubular member, a display member secured to each of said discs, and a top plate secured to the uppermost of said discs and defining the top of said display rack.

10. A display rack comprising a base, a shaft fixed to said base and extending upwardly therefrom, a display assembly rotatably mounted on said shaft, said display assembly including a lower plate, a tubular member mounted on said lower plate, a plurality of discs surrounding said tubular member in coaxial relation and spaced vertically from the lowermost end-of said tubular member to the uppermost end thereof, each of said discs having annular grooves formed in the upper and lower surfaces thereof, a plurality of drums adapted to be separable from said discs, each of said drums being positioned in an annular groove formed in the upper surface of a disc located therebelow and in an annular,

groove formed in the lower surface of a disc located thereabove, said drums thereby being disposed in coaxial relation with respect to said tubular member and spaced therefrom to form an annular space therebetween, a display member secured to each of said discs, a top plate mounted on the uppermost of said discs to define the top of said rack and means extending through said top plate for locking said discs and drums in the assembled position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 135,696 Dakin Feb. 11, 1873 197,931 Haight Dec. 11, 1877 225,060 Johnson Mar. 2, 1880 565,083 Lynne Aug. 4, 1896 613,986 Gadbury Nov. 8, 1898 1,598,727 Jones Sept. 7, 1926 1,814,740 'Rapp July 14, 1931 1,961,870 Weston June 5, 1934 2,521,355 Ford Sept. 5, 1950 2,613,735 Fisher Oct. 14, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 740,227 Great Britain NOV. 9, 1955 

